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The way films come and go, in and out of theaters, usually it’s easier to miss a movie than catch it. That makes planning ahead a must when it comes to moviegoing in the Valley. That’s also why we’ve handpicked five must-see flicks screening this month to add to the ol’ planner.
Bachelorette
Former Terriers scribe Leslye Headland makes her directorial debut with Bachelorette, a black comedy oft described as a meaner Bridesmaids. It’s an easy comparison to make, but not an entirely fair one. Granted, the setting (a wedding) and the characters (members of a bridal party) are shared. But the similarities end there. Kirsten Dunst, Lizzie Caplan, and Isla Fisher portray a group of pals asked to act as bridesmaids in their friend’s wedding. Their “friend” (Rebel Wilson), who’s overweight and had the nickname “Pigface” in high school, is getting married before any of them.
Bachelorette is now showing at Harkins Camelview 5.Sleepwalk With Me
Comedian Mike Birbiglia has told his tale of sleepwalking all the way through a La Quinta second-story window on This American Life, as an off-Broadway one-man show, in novel form, and, most recently, through his first film endeavor, Sleepwalk With Me. The honest, sad, and sweet movie stars Birbiglia as, essentially, himself, a comedian called Mike Pandimiglia who struggles with a sleep disorder that makes him act out his dreams. The disorder worsens as Pandimiglia furthers his burgeoning stand-up career and mostly avoids dealing with his stilted, long-term relationship with Abby (Lauren Ambrose).
The film is now showing at Camelview. Birbiglia will perform his newer one-man show, My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend, at Mesa Arts Center on Friday, September 21, at 8 p.m.
Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry
Artist and political dissident Ai Weiwei has built a career, intentionally or not, on criticizing the Chinese government. For that, Ai has paid greatly. He’s been held in detention for months at a time, seen his studio demolished, faced censorship and physical aggression, among other offenses. Alison Klayman’s directorial debut gets close to Ai, observing him abroad and in China as his art and politics blur together.
The rated-R documentary is the final screening in Contemporary Forum’s summer series at Phoenix Art Museum on Wednesday, September 19, at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
Chicken with Plums
Based on Iranian writer-artist Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel, Chicken with Plums (Poulet aux Prunes) leaves the world of animation that Satrapi embraced in Persepolis in favor of a live-action story about violinist Nasser Ali Khan (Mathieu Amalric) mourning a lost love told with a dash of magic-realism.
The film was scheduled to open at Camelview on Friday, September 21, but the release has been pushed back to an unconfirmed date. Check www.harkinstheaters.com for updates.
The Immigration Paradox
Filmmaker Lourdes Lee Vasquez spent seven years searching for an answer. Her question? She wanted to know why people consistently risk crossing treacherous terrain to reach the U.S. Her documentary The Immigration Paradox explores immigration beyond polarizing political stances and through a variety of academic lenses.
The film premières at Orpheum Theatre on Thursday, September 27, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 to $25.
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